Media And NRA In Feeding Frenzy Over Guns In Arizona Bars

Yep, the media and the NRA are lapping up the publicity and generating buzz among the unwashed about which Hollywood action producer is going to come here and start filming, Westworld II, The Sequel. All at the expense of lost tourism & convention dollars to my home state, Arizona. Sad, how a few ugly and misplaced opinions can impact the lives of the ones who can afford it least; the housekeepers, the spa attendants, the golf pro's, the wedding and meeting planners, the limo and taxi drivers, the bellmen, the travel agents, waiters, busboys, chefs, entertainers, bus drivers and the myriad of folks that depend on you coming to Arizona.

Go On A Vacation – Where?

Arizona, of course! it's just about as good as it gets for people needing a vacation. As a former travel professional, hotelier and golf packager I have brought thousands here from all over the world, in a career that spanned over 25 years in hospitality. I brought them to Scottsdale over the years to: play golf, have corporate meetings and retreats, bask in the mild-winter sunshine, hike it's unique landscape or enjoy the good life at one of Arizona's world-class resorts, hotels and spas. NEVER ONCE do I remember the safety of a visitor from out of state being in question that was attributable to our gun laws.

It's just a real shame to have to disappoint all the Dr. Doom types out there that foster this kind of negativeness and I hate to be the one that has to break it to em but Arizona just doesn't measure up to all the hype. Gun control nuts may call me disloyal but Arizona as a state is no more sinister when it comes to guns than the other 40 states in this country with similar gun laws, Georgia and Florida among them. Just two US states who are cognizant of the gun rights of it's citizens and support similar gun laws.

Bars and restaurants are caught in the middle of this issue and it's a typical lose-lose situation for the working man just trying to make a buck. If you want to know more just read past the headlines and dig deeper into these stories where Arizona comes off as nothing more than the untamed wild, wild west.

Fact is, it's not anywhere near as dramatic as they would have you believe. Using our gun laws to sensationalize an issue as sensitive as gun control and all this negative and UNFAIR publicity is not a joke, it is hurting my state and I want it to stop. Tourism is a critical component of Arizona's economic health and it has already taken some hard licks with the state of the economy. We don't need any more comments by a few individuals who panic before they think. Are you listening Art? Who started all this nonsense, Nevada?

It's time for us in the business of travel to stand up and be more vocal about defending our state and our industry. One way to do that is to take our World Opinion Poll (WOP): Should Guns Be Allowed In Arizona's (fill in the blank). Another is to react quickly and take offense in writing to those who attempt to put the tar brush to Arizona without ALL the facts, and instead, letting their misleading headlines contribute to the economic blood letting of our tourism business.

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